On November 11, 1918, at 11:00 a.m., the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, memorial gestures took place universally to recognize the ending of World War I fighting. In 1926, November 11 was officially named Armistice Day through a congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar congressional action. If the idealistic hope had been realized that World War I was "the War to end all Wars," November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But only a few years after the holiday was proclaimed, war broke out in Europe.
In 1953, Emporian Alvin J. King proposed that Armistice Day be changed to Veterans Day to recognize and honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts. Veterans Day was first organized and celebrated in Emporia in 1953. Kansas Congressman Ed Rees, also an Emporian, then took King’s proposal to Congress, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, also of Kansas, signed the bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. The first nationwide observance of Veterans Day was on November 11, 1954.
Every year now, the President of the United States urges all Americans to honor the commitment of our Veterans through appropriate public ceremonies.
*All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Sunday, November 4
Student Essay & Poster Contest Awards Ceremony, 2:00 p.m., Emporia Middle School.
Freedom Fest Run/Walk/Ride, 9:30 a.m., Starts at Sodens Grove.
Registration for the biking and running "Dualathon" will start at 7:00 a.m. All other registration begins at 8:00 a.m. Register online at emporiamainstreet.com, click registration.
Tuesday, October 30 -Saturday, November 10
Veteran Artist Gallery Exhibit, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Come and see all of the Veteran art displayed at the Emporia Arts Center.
November 1 - 30
Library Display, 6:30 p.m., Emporia Public Library.
Tuesday, November 6
The Kansas Work Ethic of Dwight D. Eisehower" Presentation & Reception, Speaker Roy Bird, 7:00 p.m., LYCO Historical Museum.
.Wednesday, November 7
Veteran Artist Gallery Exhibit Reception, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Enjoy food and beverage at the reception and view all of the Veteran art displayed at the Emporia Arts Center
Thursday, November 8
Veteran Military Round Table, Kanza Room @ ESU, 7:30 p.m.
Veterans Breakfast, 8:00 a.m., Emporia Senior Center.
Saturday, November 10
Veterans Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Presbyterian Manor.
Veterans Day Parade, 9:30 a.m., Commercial St.
Click here for parade entry form.
Memorial Service, 11:00 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park.
Ham & Bean Feed, noon, American Legion & VFW, Donations are encouraged & appreciated.
Monday, November 12
Golden Corral Dinner, 5:00 p.m., Golden Corral, Free to Veterans only.
Thursday, November 15 & Friday, November 16
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Emporia Presbyterian Church West Campus.
Thursday November 15th. noon -7:00 p.m.
Friday November 16th. 7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m
Visit Emporia's Veterans Memorials:
All Veterans Memorial, 933 S. Commercial.
Civil War Veterans Monument, Fremont Park, 4th & Union and Maplewood & Memorial Lawn Cemetaries, 2000 Prairie.
Mexican-American WWII Veterans Memorial, 205 S. Lawrence.
Spanish-American War Memorial, S. Neosho & Kansas Ave. in Peter Pan Park.
Veterans Hall of Honor, Emporia State University, Memorial Union. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Veteran’s Profiles
The Visitors Bureau is collecting Veteran’s Profiles to recognize Veterans. Deadline, October 1, each year for inclusion in print materials. For a Veteran’s Profile form, contact the Chamber & Visitors Bureau at (800) 279-3730, (620) 342-1803 or visitors@emporiakschamber.org.
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